Children&#39;s educational savings bank

ABSTRACT

A toy bank which resembles a building has customizable facades suggestive of saving, giving and spending. The saving facade is representative of a financial institution. The giving facade is representative of a shelter, for charity. The spending facade is representative of a storefront. Each facade is associated with a separate chamber in the bank for the accumulation of money. The chambers can be accessed through doors provided in the associated facades. A fourth facade can be provided to hold a log book so that a child can keep track of his or her money.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an educational savings bank for children, and more particularly to a toy bank having different compartments to hold money for saving, money for charity (“giving”), and money for spending (“shopping”). The bank is intended to encourage children to save a portion of their money and to contribute a portion of their money to charity, while still providing a portion for current spending.

Various toy banks have been provided in the past for saving money, and even for segregating a child's money into categories such as spending, saving and sharing. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,805 to Arkin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,211 to Vetter, U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,619 to Beacham et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,980 to Beacham, Des. 354,831 to Anderson, Des. 503,505 to Beacham and Des. 521,210 to Dunner et al.

Prior art banks, such as those referenced above, generally use depictions of animals such as pigs (the common “piggy bank”), birds, cows or other common objects such as boats and houses to make them child friendly. While meeting the objective of being child friendly, such designs make light of the seriousness of financial planning, and may imply to children that saving, giving and spending are just other forms of play.

It would be advantageous to provide a means for educating children about the importance and benefits of saving, giving and simple financial planning in a manner that will keep the child engaged, while also reflecting the seriousness of such activities. It would be further advantageous to provide such a means that allows a child to associate saving with a bank, giving with a shelter or other charity that has a physical presence, and spending with a retail store. It would be still further advantageous to allow children to customize representations of a bank, shelter and retail store on a toy bank using adhesive stickers or the like. Moreover, it would be advantageous to provide a log that a child can use to keep track of his or her saving, giving and/or spending. Such a log can also provide text that includes helpful suggestions for children in improving their saving, giving and spending habits. Suggestions to help parents in teaching good financial habits to their children can also be provided.

The present invention provides the aforementioned and other advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a toy bank is provided in the shape of a building. A first compartment is provided for receiving currency to be saved. The first compartment is associated with a first facade of the building representative of a financial institution. A second compartment is provided to receive currency to be used for charitable contributions. The second compartment is associated with a second facade of the building representative of a shelter. A third compartment is provided for receiving currency to be used for spending. The third compartment is associated with a third facade of the building representative of a storefront.

The toy bank can further include a receptacle for holding a logbook. Such a receptacle can be provided in a fourth facade of the building. In an illustrated embodiment, the receptacle comprises at least one elastic band.

The toy bank can further comprise a first currency slot coupled to drop currency into the first compartment. A second currency slot can be provided for dropping currency into the second compartment. A third currency slot can be provided for dropping currency into the third compartment. In an illustrated embodiment, the first slot is provided in the facade of the building representative of a financial institution, the second slot is provided in a chimney of the building, and the third slot is provided in a roof of the building adjacent the storefront facade.

In accordance with another, optional feature of the invention, each facade comprises at least one predefined area for receiving a sticker.

In an illustrated embodiment of the toy bank, the first facade contains a door representative of a door for the financial institution. The door can be opened to access the first compartment. Similarly, the second facade can contain a door representative of a door for the shelter, which door can be opened to access the second compartment. The third facade can contain a door representative of a door for said storefront that can be opened to access the third compartment. At least one of the doors can have a lock.

The toy bank can comprise a building having a colonial architecture style. Although such a style is illustrated, the building can also have any other architectural style desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example bank in accordance with the invention, showing a “SAVE” facade;

FIG. 2 is a first side view of an example bank in accordance with the invention, showing a “SHOP” facade;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an example bank in accordance with the invention, showing a “PASSBOOK” facade;

FIG. 4 is a second side view of an example bank in accordance with the invention, showing a “GIVE” facade; and

FIG. 5 is a floor plan view of an example bank in accordance with the invention, showing separate “SAVE”, “SHOP”, and “GIVE” chambers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the invention is described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that numerous other embodiments and designs are possible as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

As shown in the Figures, the present invention provides a toy bank 10 that on one side 20 provides the impression of a traditional Savings Bank, on another side 30 provides an impression of Shelter (indicative of charity), on a third side 40 creates the impression of a traditional General Store, and on the fourth side 50 provides a Passbook feature with a slot that will hold a log, such as a savings passbook. The bank 10 is supported by a base 17, and can be fabricated of plastic, wood and/or other suitable structural materials. The intent of the toy bank is to motivate children to divide their money (preferably in thirds) among the categories of spending, saving and charity.

FIG. 1 illustrates the Savings Bank facade 20 of the toy bank. The bank is shown in a colonial architectural style, although other styles can be provided as desired. The facade 20 resembles a traditional banking institution, having a front door 24. Various areas 12, 15 and 16 are provided on which a child can place relevant stickers to decorate the bank. For example, a sticker with the name of the bank (e.g., “Springfield National Bank”) can be provided for space 15. A sticker with an animal or other indicia (e.g., a lion's head) can be provided for space 16. A sticker with a design (e.g., sun rays) can be provided for space 12. A collection of stickers can be provided so that each child can customize his or her bank as desired.

The facade 20 includes a slot 14 for receipt of coins and/or bills. This slot is coupled to (e.g., positioned over) a “save” chamber 64 within the toy bank, as illustrated in FIG. 5. When money is inserted into the slot 14, it will drop (e.g., free fall) into the chamber 64 and accumulate there. In order to empty the save chamber when desired, the front door 24 of the facade 20 can be opened to access the chamber 64. If desired, a lock (not shown) can be provided on door 24 (or on any of the other doors of the toy bank). Such a lock can be built into the door, or a hook and latch could be provided on the door for locking with an external combination or key type lock. Various locking possibilities will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a Storefront facade 40 of the toy bank. A sign area 22 extends from the roof 13, on which a child may place an appropriate sticker with a name for the store (e.g., “General Store”). The facade 40 can include other areas for attaching stickers, such as window area 35, door area 38 and wall area 37. A selection of stickers can be provided to allow a child to customize the toy bank.

Facade 40 includes a storefront entry door 36. This door is operational (e.g., hinged) to allow access to a shop chamber 62 as illustrated in FIG. 5. A coin slot 32 illustrated in FIG. 3 is positioned behind the sign area 22 and over the shop chamber 62. When a coin or bill is placed in slot 32 as indicated by arrow 34, the inserted currency will drop into the shop chamber 62. When it is desired to retrieve the currency (e.g., for a real shopping trip), the child can open door 36 and reach into chamber 62 to withdraw all or part of the money stored therein.

FIG. 3 illustrates the Passbook facade 50. A log book 42 (such as a savings passbook or the like) is stored in a receptacle on facade 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle is formed by two elastic bands 46 held to the bank via holes 45. The holes 45 can be lined with metal or plastic grommets for durability. In one embodiment, the ends of the elastic bands 46 are knotted to hold them behind the holes. Other arrangements for securing the elastic bands will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, a slot, tray or clip can be provided in the facade 50 to receive the log book. The log book 42 can be an actual bank passbook received by a child who has a bank account, or can be a book provided with the toy bank into which the child can manually enter the amount of savings, charity and/or spending money that has been put into and withdrawn from the toy bank. For example, the log book can comprise one or more of: (a) separate ledger pages for keeping account of money for spending, saving and giving, (b) printed text providing ideas for parents and children about using the bank, (c) a list of proverbs from around the world related to money, and (d) a reference section recommending books and websites related to educating children about money and finance.

Facade 50 includes at least one area 44 onto which a child can place a sticker to decorate the bank. Stickers can also be provided for the log book 42.

FIG. 4 illustrates the Shelter facade 30 of the toy bank. This facade includes a door 54 for retrieval of currency stored in a give chamber 60, as shown in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a chimney 18 includes a slot 21 for insertion of coins or bills. Currency inserted into slot 21, as indicated by arrow 23, will drop into the give chamber 60 for storage.

The shelter facade 30 includes a window area 52, door area 56 and wall area 58 for receiving stickers. A child using the toy bank can use these areas, together with a set of stickers provided with the bank, to decorate the bank as desired.

It should now be appreciated that the present invention provides a toy bank designed to resemble a building, with a first facade of the building representative of a financial institution, a second facade of the building representative of a shelter, and a third facade of the building representative of a storefront. Each facade is associated with a separate compartment (“chamber”) in the bank for the receipt and accumulation of money. The chamber associated with the first facade is for money to be saved. The chamber associated with the second facade is for money to be given to charity. The chamber associated with the third facade is for money to be spent. A fourth facade can be provided to hold a log book so that a child can keep track of his or her money as well as the child's saving, spending and giving habits.

Although the invention has been described in accordance with a preferred embodiment, various other embodiments can be provided and are intended to be included within the scope of the claims. 

1. A toy bank in the shape of a building comprising: a first compartment for receiving currency to be saved, said first compartment being associated with a first facade of said building representative of a financial institution; a second compartment for receiving currency to be used for charitable contributions, said second compartment being associated with a second facade of said building representative of a shelter; and a third compartment for receiving currency to be used for spending, said third compartment being associated with a third facade of said building representative of a storefront.
 2. A toy bank in accordance with claim 1 comprising a receptacle for holding a logbook.
 3. A toy bank in accordance with claim 2 wherein said receptacle is provided in a fourth facade of said building.
 4. A toy bank in accordance with claim 2 wherein said receptacle comprises at least one elastic band.
 5. A toy bank in accordance with claim 1 comprising: a first currency slot positioned to drop currency into said first compartment; a second currency slot positioned to drop currency into said second compartment; and a third currency slot positioned to drop currency into said third compartment.
 6. A toy bank in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first slot is provided in the facade of said building representative of said financial institution.
 7. A toy bank in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second slot is provided in a chimney of said building.
 8. A toy bank in accordance with claim 5 wherein said third slot is provided in a roof of said building adjacent the storefront facade.
 9. A toy bank in accordance with claim 5 wherein: said first slot is provided in the first facade of said building; said second slot is provided in a chimney of said building; and said third slot is provided in a roof of said building adjacent the third facade.
 10. A toy bank in accordance with claim 1 wherein each facade comprises at least one predefined area for receiving a sticker.
 11. A toy bank in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first facade contains a door representative of a door for said financial institution that can be opened to access said first compartment.
 12. A toy bank in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second facade contains a door representative of a door for said shelter that can be opened to access said second compartment.
 13. A toy bank in accordance with claim 1 wherein said third facade contains a door representative of a door for said storefront that can be opened to access said third compartment.
 14. A toy bank in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said first facade contains a door representative of a door for said financial institution that can be opened to access said first compartment; said second facade contains a door representative of a door for said shelter that can be opened to access said second compartment; and said third facade contains a door representative of a door for said storefront that can be opened to access said third compartment.
 15. A toy bank in accordance with claim 14 wherein at least one of said doors has a lock.
 16. A toy bank in accordance with claim 1 wherein said building has a colonial architecture style. 